Gators win SEC Crown - National Championship next?

<p>Win might give Gators a shot at the Buckeyes</p>

<p>By PAT DOOLEY</p>

<p>Sun sports writer
December 03. 2006 6:31AM</p>

<p>ATLANTA — The celebration had spilled from the field to the locker room, but then it was spilling back. Dallas Baker, down to his undershirt and football pants, came running back onto the Georgia Dome surface followed by the happiest team in the nation Saturday night.</p>

<p>They had to get the picture, the one just like all those ones they have seen in the football offices and their locker room, fingers pointed skyward and an SEC sign in the front.</p>

<p>Florida won the SEC Championship Game for the sixth time and took its seventh SEC title with a 38-28 win over Arkansas. They may have won more than rings and hats on a crazy night.</p>

<p>With Southern Cal losing to UCLA earlier in the day, Florida's victory means that voters and computers will be crunching numbers today to decide whether it's Michigan or Florida facing Ohio State in the national title game.</p>

<p>"Michigan had their chance," said UF wide receiver Andre Caldwell. "It's time to pass it on to the next guy."</p>

<p>Florida, fourth in the BCS entering the weekend, trailed No. 3 Michigan by .32 of a point. The final standings will be announced tonight at 8 on Fox Sports.</p>

<p>"I am beat to death right now," said Florida coach Urban Meyer. "I can't move. I'm sure the players feel the same way. I'm not too concerned with style points. I'm just concerned with 21 seniors who went out and won a championship.</p>

<p>"Florida belongs. We deserve a shot. I think the country needs to see the Big 10 champion vs. the SEC champions. I have great confidence that the University of Florida is going to get that opportunity."</p>

<p>The Gators advanced to 12-1 on the season while Arkansas, which has lost two in a row, heads to a bowl game with a 10-3 record.</p>

<p>Florida jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but a pair of Chris Leak interceptions helped the Razorbacks take a 21-17 lead in the third quarter. Florida's Wondy Pierre-Louis recovered a fumbled punt in the end zone to give Florida back the lead and Percy Harvin, voted the MVP of the game, ran 67 yards for another score.</p>

<p>After Arkansas cut the lead to 31-28, Leak guided the Gators to the clinching score as Caldwell passed to tight end Tate Casey for the touchdown.</p>

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<p>they moved up to #2 in one of the polls, but barely. we still have to wait until 5:00 tonight to find out. <em>crosses fingers</em></p>

<p>We have a strong lead in the Coaches Poll, so I think we are really looking good! AP we have a slight lead as well.</p>

<p>National Championship bound!</p>